Peach tree named ‘NJ353’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJ353’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of showy flowers, fruit that ripen in late-season, attractive fruit with a yellow-orange ground color, freestone fruit with a juicy, melting texture and moderately acidic flavor, and good production of firm fruit that maintain their eating quality following cold storage.

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L.

Variety denomination: ‘NJ353’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree named ‘NJ353’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘Biscoe’ as theseed parent with ‘Fairtime’ peach tree, as the pollen parent. The newvariety differs from seed parent ‘Biscoe’ (unpatented) in that the newvariety has large, showy flowers and firm fruit that ripen inlate-season, while the seed parent has small, nonshowy flowers andcomparatively soft fruit that ripen in the latter part of mid-season.The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘Fairtime’ (unpatented) inthat the new variety has more cold tolerance and has consistentlydeveloped a greater percentage of red over color than the pollen parent.The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the122^(nd) tree in the 47^(th) row of Block G in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJ353’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due tothe following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Attractive round fruit with a slightly depressed apex point.    -   Fruit with an attractive yellow-orange ground color.    -   Good production of firm fruit that ripen in late-season.    -   Fruit have above average eating quality following cold storage.

The variety was asexually reproduced at the Rutgers Fruit Research andExtension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this newvariety by budding onto ‘Lovell’ rootstock (unpatented) shows that theforegoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJ353’.The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in acultivated area in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of thisvariety, such as growth and color, may change with changingenvironmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture,nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptions and otherterminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionarydescriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Colordesignations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society(R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography. Colors are approximate as colordepends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilizationrate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics ofthis new variety should be determined with reference to the observationsdescribed herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 29, 2005 of a characteristictwig of ‘NJ353’ in late summer bearing typical leaves of the maturefoliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Sep. 10, 2004 of characteristicmature fruit and stones of ‘NJ353’. Whole fruit are presented in threepositions and a transverse cross section to show that the pericarp doesnot adhere to the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones illustratethe obovoid shape and the pit grooves on the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustratesthe typical flower buds and large, showy flowers of ‘NJ353’ observed ona tree in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Apr. 21, 2004.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a tree of ‘NJ353’ in early fall thatillustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree in Cream Ridge, N.J. onOct. 27, 2005.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Oct. 27, 2005 of immature bark of‘NJ353’ that illustrates color and the comparatively low density ofelliptical lenticels with a greyed-white border on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Oct. 27, 2005 of mature bark of‘NJ353’ that illustrates the moderately rough texture of the maturebark.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJ353’ variety is based onobservations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was nineyears of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) inResearch Block C in Cream Ridge, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L.-   Parentage:

Seed parent: Biscoe. Pollen parent: Fairtime.

-   Tree:

Vigor: Moderately vigorous. Plant hardiness Growth of plants has onlybeen observed in zone 6b. zone: Dormant flower bud At least to −15° C.cold tolerance: Overall shape: Spreading. Height: Slightly below averageas compared to other peach cultivars. For example, measurement of atypical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) at nineyears after planting shows an average height of 3.4 meters when grown inCream Ridge, New Jersey. Width: Average as compared to other peachcultivars. For example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) at nine years after plantingshows an average width of 5.2 meters when grown in Cream Ridge, NewJersey. Caliper: Nine year old tree is 51 cm in circumference measuredat 20 cm from the ground. Pollination Self-pollinating requirements:

-   Trunk and branches:

Trunk bark texture: Moderately rough. Trunk bark color: Greyed-white(RHS 156c). Primary branches: Branches that are approximately 15 cm incircumference are greyed-orange (RHS 176a) in color, overlaid with grey(RHS 201d). Lenticels: Low density, approximately 1 per square cm;elliptical shape; typical examples of which measured 5.5 mm in lengthand 2.0 mm in width; greyed- orange (RHS 164a) in color and borderedwith greyed-white (RHS 156b). Branch pubescence: None. New growth bark:Color varies between greyed-red (RHS 178a) and greyed-purple (RHS 183a)in sun; color yellow- green (RHS 152b) in shade. Internodes: Lengthaveraging 21.2 mm on a one-year shoot.

-   Leaves:

Texture: Glabrous. Sheen: Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish onthe underside. Length: About 167 mm to 190 mm, averaging about 174 mmincluding the petiole. Width: About 34 mm to 46 mm, averaging about 39mm. Petiole: Averaging 10.6 mm long and about 1.5 mm in diameter.Margin: Serrulate. Margin undulation: Slight. Form: Elliptic. Apex:Acuminate, curved downward. Base: Cuneate. Venation: Pinnate. Glands:Number: About 3 to 6, averaging about 4. Position: Located on the leafmargin and petiole. Size: Length averaging 1.4 mm and width averaging1.1 mm. Form: Reniform. Stipules: None observed on mature leaves. LeafColor: Upper leaf surface: Between green (RHS 137a) and yellow-green(RHS 147a). Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 147b). Vein:Greyed-yellow (RHS 160c). Pubescence: None.

-   Flowers:

Size: Large size, typical flower measuring between 36 mm to 43 mm,averaging about 39 mm across. Color: Dormant bud: Grey (between RHS 201aand RHS 201b). Pink stage bud: Red-purple (between RHS 62c and RHS 62d).Open flower: Young open flowers red (RHS 62d), with red venation(between RHS 56b and RHS 55c) at petal fall. Petals: Typically fivepetals per flower, cupped and round in shape; averaging about 18.0 mmlong and 17.0 mm wide. Red (RHS 62d) in color. Petal apex: Obtuse. Petalbase: Attenuate. Stamens: Number: Variable, typical range 36 to 41,averaging 38.8. Length: Variable, between 10.5 mm to 16.5 mm, averaging13.9 mm. Filament color: White (RHS 155a). Anther color: Red (RHS 34b).Pistil: Number: One. Size: Length between 18.1 and 19.8 mm, averagingabout 19.1 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (RHS 153a). Ovary: Moderatepubescence and ellipsoid in shape. Sepals: Number: Five. Pubescence:Short and moderate density. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 152c) with agreyed-red (RHS 178a) over color. Shape: Triangular, with a roundedapex. Size: Length averaging 5.4 mm, width averaging 4.8 mm. Nectar cupGreyed-orange (RHS 167b). color: Pollen: Abundant; yellow-orange (RHS20a) in color. Fragrance: Very slight. Bloom season: Onset of bloom in2005 on April 16; full bloom on April 19.

-   Fruit:

Size: Large, averaging about 6.9 cm long, 7.2 cm wide parallel to thesuture and 7.3 cm wide perpendicular to the suture. Typical weight: 201g. Form: Longitudinal section: Nearly round. Traverse section: Round.Suture: Very shallow, extending from the base to apex. Ventral surface:Typically smooth. Base: Round. Apex: Flat, apex point slightlydepressed. Stem: Average length of 6.1 mm and an average diameter of 5.6mm. Skin: Thickness: Average. Surface: Regular with short pubescence.Tenacity: Average. Astringency: None. Tendency to crack: Low. Color:Mottled greyed-purple (RHS 183a) over a red (RHS 46a) blush; groundcolor yellow-orange (RHS 16b). Fruit Properties: Flesh color:Yellow-orange (between RHS 16a and RHS 16b). Flesh adhesion: Freestone.Juice: Moderate. Texture: Firm, but melting. Fibers: Not noticeable.Ripens: Between September 4 and September 17 at Cream Ridge, New Jersey.Flavor: Average to above average, moderately acidic. Soluble solids:12.8%. Aroma: Very slight. Eating quality: Good. Keeping quality: Aboveaverage. Has held its flavor and firmness for at least 21 days in coldstorage at 1° C. to 4° C. Shipping quality: Very good. Fruit aregenerally very firm at harvest. No bruising or scaring disorders havebeen observed. Usage: Dessert. Market: Local and long distance.Productivity: Good. Trees have produced a crop in 9 out of 11 years anda full crop in 4 out of 11 years at Cream Ridge, New Jersey.

-   Stone:

Type: Freestone. Form: Obovoid. Base: Narrow. Apex: Medium. Surface: Pitgrooves. Ventral suture: Medium, truncated at the apex. Dorsal ridge:Medium height, narrow width, with lines of medium depth. External color:Greyed-orange (between RHS 166b and RHS 166c) overlaid withgreyed-purple (RHS 183d). Internal color when Greyed-orange (between RHS165c and RHS cracked: 165d). Cavity surface color: Greyed-orange (RHS165c). Average stone dry 6.8 g. weight: Average stone wall Variesbetween 7.1 and 9.4 mm. thickness: Size: Averages about 37 mm long, 26.6mm wide parallel to the dorsal ridge, and 18.6 mm wide perpendicular tothe dorsal ridge. Tendency to split: Low. Kernel: Form: Ovate. Skincolor: Greyed-orange (between RHS 165a and RHS 165b). Vein color:Greyed-orange (between RHS 164a). Viability: Yes. Size: Averages about18.3 mm long, 11.8 mm wide, and 4.5 mm in breadth.

-   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as hereinshown and described.